This book was fabulous if you are thinking about getting into yoga, check this out.

Bikram does not take into consideration that doing strenuous exercise in 102 Fahrenheit for 90 mins is going to send a Vata/Pitta body type into straight rage. Before I started doing some research on this, I would be simply baffled by the fact that instead of feeling balanced and calm and composed (all the things that my 6 years of Iyengar practice leaves me with), a Saturday morning Bikram class would send me on a 'killing spree' and road rage and just absolutely unacceptable behaviour toward husband and people in general. Then I find out that it totally aggravates Vata/Pitta, so now I'm all set with it. Never again Bikram. Also, it amazes me how much verbal abuse people can take from a guy who's ego could do with a little toning down, maybe just a little... He might benefit from reading the Sutras every now and then.

I take Bikram Yoga in an actual class setting and this book really helps me understand each of the 26 poses used in the class. I think that Bikram has great benefits for not only my body but my overall well being. I recommend this if you never done yoga before it's a great way to start. The poses are not crazy easy but manageable and worth trying. Plus, you'll be surprise of how your body progresses and how you feel all together.

Years ago a friend from work who knew I trained for marathons (Yes, I'm one of those nuts who runs alot), asked if I had considered yoga. I was very polite in my response, but inside I was thinking, "What's all that navel gazing got to do with running? If I need to stretch, I stretch."

Fast forward a few years and I underwent minor knee surgury (if you can believe any sort of knee surgury to be minor). Because of my travel schedule, I knew I'd have trouble attending twice weekly physical therapy sessions and the rehab was important for making a proper recovery. I needed some strength training, but it had to be exercise I could do while on the road. Yoga fit the bill.

My first yoga class was a Bikram class. I can honestly tell you that the class ripped this in shape, marathon running idiot to shreds. I couldn't believe you could get your heart rate well into the triple digits standing still. That was seven years ago. I have since practiced yogo avidly.

I'll write another time about my yoga adventure, but this is about the book. The book is by written Bikram Choudhury, the guy that invented this style of yoga. The photos in the book are taken by Bizwanath "Bisu" Ghosh. It sounds like its written by someone out of "Slumdog Millionaire" with the Indian accent coming through clearly.

And Bikram is hillarous. He knows this stuff is hard especially for beginners so he sprinkles conversations with his students into the description of the poses. He addresses in a banter with his students how you might be feeling and then pushes you anyway. He even taunts you which had me cracking up. He must be a trip to have as an actual instructor.

The tone and his commentary are what make this book a great read. He shows you how to start a beginner yoga practice with step-by-step instructions with simple photos of people doing the poses. He makes a point to reach you definitely assuming you are no lithe former dancer/gymnast.

Even the photos deliver this message. Many of them are of kids or older people doing the poses even if imperfectly. He includes cameo appearances of Hollywood actors who practice his yoga and some of these folks are not necessarily in great shape (read that as fat).

Bikram does stress that you do each pose as you can do it. This is no race or competition. Whose keeping track of your performance anyway. And that's another lesson you can grasp from the book...and yoga too.

Yoga has great physical benefits with interesting spiritual benefits as well. Consider making it a part of your lifestyle.

This book is well exaplained and I thought it a big help after taking a couple of classes and struggling. It's worth it.